Polyurea coating for protection in the most demanding environments

Polyurea coating has been on the Australian market since the 1980s, but due to its durability, flexibility, and versatility new applications for this coating are being found all the time. It is currently used across industries for waterproofing, corrosion protection, containment of water as well as chemical and toxic substances, flooring, and mechanical equipment, just to name a few. Polyurea coating is also flexible regarding substrates; it is applicable on concrete, metals, wood, plaster, plastics, and many more substrates.

A polyurea coating is the result of a reaction between an isocyanate and a resin blend, which forms a plastic- or rubber-like compound. This elastomer can be used in similar ways to other technologies like polyurethane and epoxy, but the protection it provides combines the best aspects of both these coatings. Polyurea is used for everything from mining equipment and pipeline coating to playground fixtures, waterproof tank linings, asbestos encapsulation, and more.

In this article we will outline the advantages and uses of polyurea coating, and help you find polyurea coating companies for your project in Australia.

Polyurea spray coating application methods and equipment

Polyurea coating predominantly comes in a form applicable by spray; polyurea hotspray. However, it can be modified to be applied by roller; this is called polyaspartic polyurea and is the aliphatic form of polyurea. It is commonly used as a floor coating for interiors and exteriors.

Industrial Polyurea Hotspray

Polyurea coating is common on pipelines due to its flexibility and durability.

“Hotspray” is another name for the polyurea spraying process, because polyurea coating is most effective when heated to 60-70°C. The reaction that creates a polyurea coating is immediate, and it starts to cure in seconds. So, in order to achieve the heat and speed requirements, the two components are pumped into a special spray gun through heated hoses. The components mix within the gun chamber where the reaction starts, the mixture then is sprayed immediately onto the substrate. This ensures the best performance from the coating, and the strongest physical properties. Polyurea hotspray coating is a precision business, and should be applied by trained, professional applicators.

As well as being suitable for application across many substrates, polyurea hot spray coating is suitable for application across a wide range of temperature and humidity environments; therefore, it suitable for example on pipelines as exterior coating. It is applicable in sub-zero temperatures, or on damp substrates without affecting its effectiveness. It can also be applied at any thickness, in a single coat application.

5 benefits of polyurea coating for your project

Polyurea is a coating of choice in commercial, industrial, marine, and residential applications because it has many advantages compared to its alternatives. These include:

Waterproof and corrosion protection: Polyurea coatings have moisture insensitivity/resistance. They have low permeability and are also resilient to water, providing corrosion protection. Therefore, they are also used as tank linings.

Minimum downtime: A curing time from 30 seconds to 2 minutes means there is an almost immediate return-to-service time, and downtime is many times less than with another paint.

Strength and flexibility: Polyurea has a high polymeric elongation meaning that it stretches as well as resists punctures and tears.

100% solids: With a 1:1 volume ratio, the need for extra coats is eliminated, and the lack of solvents means it also VOC free and environmentally friendly.

High resistance: A polyurea coating provides chemical, abrasion, and UV resistance, as well as being able to withstand extreme temperature changes.

Note that epoxies and urethanes also possess the same properties, but not in a single coating. Polyurea coating is the only solution that has all the aforementioned benefits and can be applied fast avoiding downtime.

Polyurea coatings in comparison to other coatings

Why would you choose for polyurea coating instead of a more traditional coating like epoxy? While other coatings have their own benefits, polyurea outperforms them in certain areas.

Polyurea vs. Polyurethane:
Though these coatings are related (both isocyanate-based), they have many differences. When being applied polyurethane based coatings are sensitive to temperature and moisture, where polyurea is not. Polyurea is elastic and can stretch, but polyurethane cannot. It also has a higher tensile strength.

Polyurea vs.Cementitious:
Unsurprisingly, cementitious coatings provide little give, and have far longer setting times than polyurea. All cementitious coatings have long setting and curing times.

Polyurea vs. Epoxy:Epoxies are sensitive to temperature, humidity and moisture during application, with longer cure times than polyurea. Epoxy coatings are not flexible with the expansion of a substrate, and UV radiation will cause it to discolour, unlike polyurea.

In short, choose a polyurea coating when you require a very fast turn around in application, as well as when the application environment is moisture-laden, humid, below freezing, or hot. Polyurea is also preferable when you need a coating that can flex with the expansion of a substrate, or want a super hard-wearing level of abrasion resistance.

Where to find polyurea coating manufacturers and specialists in Australia

Investing in polyurea saves you money due to the low downtime and return to service losses, the lifetime of the coating (up to 30 years warranty in some cases), and the speed of application, meaning fewer billable hours for the applicators. There are numerous polyurea manufacturers and specialists operating in Australia. If you would like any more information, or wish to be connected with one of our partners for your coating project, contact us! Our experts are here to help, just use on the “Request a quote” button at the bottom of this article and make use of our 100% free quote service.

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